So, you picked up on the Columbo craze during the height of the pandemic. You heard people calling it the origin of Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney, and went to take a look. Before you know it, you blasted through all ten seasons, experienced the highs and the lows, the genius episodes and episodes that are literally just cop serials adapted to a television screenplay that happen to guest-star the lieutenant.
And perhaps you've come to the feeling that you want more. But how could there be more? Columbo isn't simply a "whodunit": you start the episode knowing precisely who is guilty, and the appeal of the show is how Columbo closes in and catches the culprit, a "howcatchem" instead.
But, there is more, if you're willing to look on international television. In Japan, where Columbo also picked up popularity during its run, another series took a crack at the formula. I would argue that this series hues even closer to Phoenix Wright in execution than Columbo did.
You should watch Furuhata Ninzaburo.
Furuhata Ninzaburo stars the titular character, a genius detective with an odd and eccentric personality that he often leverages as a front to get closer to people and pull more information from them. He points out small inconsistencies and chases the loose ends, while the culprit does everything they can to shake off the detective's suspicion.
He does differ from Columbo, though; while our lieutenant has a slow but sure tenacity in his pursuit, Furuhata is more aggressive, pointed, sarcastic, doesn't mince his words when the time comes. It's a different dynamic from Columbo's "I'm just a silly little guy" act, but one that is still entertaining to watch. At several points, he gets one over on the culprit, acting as if it were a mere coincidence, but smiling his little gremlin grin.
And the show's got no shortage of high-profile actors for episodes too; if there's one episode you should watch right now, it's the one where the actor for Chairman Kaga of Iron Chef appears as the culprit for an episode. It's a fun one, and it's in the first season!
But if I had to point to one episode that's a great intro to the series, it's the first episode of the second season. You'll get a feel for how Furuhata operates, be introduced to some of the recurring secondary characters, and get a taste of what I mean when I say "this show's Ace Attorney as hell."
also the opening theme is a banger
